Reciprocating propeller for vessels



Patented Sept. 6, I898.

J. & H. w. RITCHIE. BECIPROCATING PBUPELLER FOR VESSELS.

(Application filed June 9, 1597.)

4 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

N0. 6|l],370. I Patented Sept. 6, I898.

J. & -H. W. RITCHIE. REGIPBOCATING PBOPELLER FUR VESSELS.

Application filed June 9, 1897.) (N o M o d e l 4 Sheets-$heet 3.

in: mus PL'YERS co. [mom-mm. wlsumatcu. o c

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented Sept 6, I898.

J. a H. w. RITCHIE. RECIPBOCATING PROPELLER FOR VESSELS.

(Appl at on fil d JuneQ 189") PM}; i lliwtii. 5:: 5:: 3:;

ai MS? M 115 25: pi. i N

, N Ill! (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATnNT FFIQEt RECIPROCATING PROPE LLER FOR VE SSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,370, dated September 6, 1898. Application filed Tune 9,1897. Serial No. 639,945. (llomodelJ To all whom it may concern; I

Be it known that we, JOHN RITCHIE and -HARVEY W'. RITCHIE, citizens of'the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of skilled in the art to which 'it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in means for the propulsionof vessels, and has for its object to provide an arrangement of this character that will aiford the best possible results as to efficiency and economy of power.

Figure 1 is abroken-away longitudinal plan section of the hull of a' vessel embodying the improved features. Fig. 2 is a face view of the propeller in its expanded .or open position; Fig.3,a similar view showing the propeller. in its opposite or folded position Fig. 4, a detached elevation of a series of braces or arms for bracing the propeller-blades Fig. 5,

a transverse section on line 5, Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow; Fig. 6, a broken-away longitudinal section on line 6, Fig. 2; Fig. '7, a similar view, the. propelling-blades being shown in their closed position; Fig. 8, a longitudinal section through the shifting case; Fig. 9, a transverse section on line 9, Fig. 8; and Fig. 10, a sectional detail on line 10, Fig. 6.

A may represent the hull of a vessel, B B the companion propeller-shafts, and O C a pair of steam engine cylinders from which the motive power is derived.

In this improvement the propeller-shafts have a reciprocating endwise movement instead of a rotary one.

The propeller D consists of a number of blades which are arranged radially surrounding the propeller-shaft and which are adapted to have an openingand closing action similar to that of an umbrella and'present a continuouslunbroken surface in a circular plane.

The outside blades a lie in the same plane with and cover the inside blades a, providing a space a therebetween, as shown inFigs'. 6, 7, andlO. These companion or double blades to conform to the change of position-that is,-

from an open to a closed one vand the opposite thereof. ion blades are hinged to the shaft, as at a and the blades a as at a I The'companion blades an areadjustablysecured together by a number of bolts a, having the usual head and nut and inserted there-' through. The outside blades are provided longitudinally with slots a through which the bolts a pass,to allow for the slight change in the relative position of the blades as they close up toward or move away from the propellershaft.

The propeller-shaft is cutout, as at b,-to provide the inclined shoulder b,against'which the blades stop as they close up. The stopbraces b limit the outward movement of the blades and strengthen them in their working position. The folding position is at an oblique angle with referenceto the sides ofv the shaft. On the outward thrust or push'of the shaft the blades of the propeller are automatically opened out and expanded to theirjfull limit by the pressure of the water, as shown on the port side in Fig. 1. In this. position the whole surface of the propeller pushes directly against thebody of the water, and the vessel is forced ahead. lWhen the limit of the outward thrust or push is reached and the return movement begins, the pressure of the water.

on the back side instantly folds or closes the blades up into the position shown on the starboard side, presenting but a small surface to the action oftheiwater and offering but little resistanceon the return stroke.

The companion ortwin propelling-shafts are arranged to work alternately; but they may be arranged to have simultaneousmovement. The outboard end of the shafts isfprovided with bearings E, which'a're suitably supported from the :vessel. At .theQpoint where the shafts pass through the hull, the stern-pipe or stuffing-box F isprovideid, which also forms a bearing and excludes the water.

Companion propellers are shown; but it is The innerends of the companobvious that a single shaft may be used the same as in rotary propellers and located in thecenter of the vessel.

The inboard end of the propeller-shafts is shown as having a direct connection with the motor-cylinders; but in practical working any form of motive power suitable for the purpose may be employed and the connection with the shafts arranged accordingly.

The arrangements for stopping and backing the boat will next be described.

The propeller-shafts are made hollow for the reception of a solid reversing-shaft G, inserted therein, as shown. On the inside of the vessel, Figs. 1, 8, and 9, and inclosing the shafts is located a shifting case H, having a lateral movement in stationary guides 01. Considerable space is provided for between the respective sides of the case and the shafts, so as to allow for the lateral movement in reversing the position of the propellers. That part of the reversing-shaft passing through the case H is provided with a double ratchetbar H, the toothed edges of which project through a slot d in the propeller-shaft from opposite sides and which provides for a limited endwise movement of the reversing-shaft independently of the propeller-shaft proper. The propeller-shaft is provided on opposite sides with companion lugs cl 01 to which are pivoted companion pawls 01 d that are normally held in engagement with the respective edges of the ratchet-bar by the springs 01 (1 case H by a rod (1 This lever and the other reversing parts (shown in Figs. 8 and 9) are in their normal position, both shafts being locked together and moving in unison. The propeller shaft is provided longitudinally with a number of slots d", through which the stop-braces Figs. 1 and 4, project. These braces are rigidly secured to the reversingshaft G. A second series of braces g are located back of the propellers and are also rigidly secured to the reversing-shaft and project through the slots (1 When the propellers are to be reversed, the lever H is moved in the direction of the shifting case from its normal position. (Shown in Fig. 9.) This movement brings the side wall g of the case against the outer end of the pivoted pawl 01 on that side and disengages the same from the ratchet-bar. This movement at the same time brings a stop g into position to engage with the adjacent end of the ratchet-bar and stops the endwise outer movement of the reversing-shaft, leaving the propeller-shaft free to move on to the outer limit of its stroke. This stopping of the reversing-shaft holds the first series of braces b back out of contact with the propeller-blades, so that the pressure of the water will throw them over into a reversed position from that shown in Fig. 6. Now as the propeller-shaft nears the end of its last outward go-ahead stroke the open inside surface of the blades at the moment of reversing their position for backing just come in contact with the second series of braces g, which in the meantime have remained stationary with the reversing-shaft. Throwing the lever over to its opposite position brings the side wall g of the case in contact with and releases the pawl 01 on that side from engagement with the ratchet-bar at the same time the companion pawl d on the opposite side rengages. The reversing-shaft now moves inwardly far enough to bring the second series of braces full against the propelling-blades in their reversed position, the adjacent end of the ratchetbar coming in contact with the stop 9 at the same time and retaining the reversing-shaft in its proper relative position with reference to the movement of the propeller-shaft. The propellerblades when in their reversed backing position close against the inclined shoulders h, which are the opposite of the inclined shoulders b on the go-ahead side.

The reversing mechanism as herein arranged may be dispensed with and an independent shaft placed in position to be used for stopping and backing purposes. A backing-propeller and shaft may also be located in the bow of the vessel and arranged in a trapped passage and run out when it is necessary to use the same.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is An operating-lever H is connected with the r 1. A propeller, consisting of a number of double blades, having a space between and adjustably retained in proper relation by a number of bolts inserted therethrough, said double blades being arranged at intervals with a gap between adjacent edges, a series of single blades filling said gaps and forming an unbroken surface and having their edges inserted in the space between the double blades so as to conform to the opening and closing action of the propeller, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a propeller-shaft, of a propeller, consisting of a number of blades, adj ustably secured together and hinged to said shaft and adapted to have an opening-out and closing-up action with reference to the reciprocating endwise'movement of the propeller-shaft, and the series of braces limiting the opening movement of said blades, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a hollow propellershaft, of a reversing-shaft, inserted therein, of a shifting case, inclosing said shafts and adapted to have a lateral movement, a double shaft, provided with a number of slots, d of In testimony whereof We affix our signar.

tures in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN RITCHIE. HARVEY W. RITCHIE.

Witnesses:

L. MLFREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

